JAL plans high-density Dreamliners for new long-haul LCC

Japan Airlines (JAL) is looking to significantly increase the seat density of the Boeing 787-8s that are assigned to its newly announced LCC unit and is eyeing markets in Asia, Europe and the Americas. JAL formally established the new corporate entity Aug. 2 under the interim name TBL. JAL owns 100% of the company and named Shinto Nishida as representative director responsible for the organization. Its headquarters will be at Tokyo Narita Airport. JAL VP-global sales Steve Smith said the main driver for establishing a long-haul LCC was that forecasts show 50% of the seat market share in Asia will be LCC—and the LCC share will reach 50% even sooner in Europe and North America. “That’s one in every two seats,” Smith noted. “We are a high-yield carrier and we are missing out on a big part of the market.” The plan is for the JAL LCC to start services in the summer of 2020—the same year Japan will host the summer Olympics—with two 787-8s.<br/>